Don’s Top 10 for June 17, 1969

Wayyyyyy back...back...back into time, as "The Time Machine" lands in the time of the moon landing, microminiskirts, Woodstock & the Mets first dream season, Tuesday, June 17, 1969. Groovy, baby!

10

"One" by Three Dog Night

(#14 last week) "One" would start an incredible hit streak for these guys that would last 5 years. Harry Nilsson wrote this one.

9

"Spinning Wheel" by Blood, Sweat & Tears

(#22 last week) Grammy-nominated for Record Of The Year & Song Of The Year. Won neither, but the Album won for Album Of The Year. This song was EVERYWHWERE in 1969.

8

"More Today Than Yesterday" by Spiral Starecase

(#5 last week) One of the greatest one-hit wonders EVER, this was a certified gold million-seller, & has been one of the more enduring hits of the 60s. Lead singer Pat Upton would later work in Rick Nelson's band.

7

"Love (Can Make You Happy)" by Mercy

(#2 last week) Speaking of great one-hit wonders. This group is very mysterious, very little known of them, other than their Tampa roots.

6

"Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival

(#11 last week) Creedence lead the "back-to-roots-rock" movement that was picking up steam in '69, sort of an answer to the heavy album rock that was getting so much airplay. Of of the few recording acts of the period with total credibility in both camps, top 40 & album rock.

5

Love Theme from "Romeo & Juliet" by Henry Mancini

(#9 last week) Forget the Mancini name, "oh, it must be corny". This is simply one of the most beautiful, haunting pieces of music ever recorded. One of my all-time favorites.

4

"These Eyes" by The Guess Who

(#4 last week) The first hit for this Canadian band with new lead singer Burton Cummings (they had a 1965 charter with Chad Allen fronting the group). Lead guitarist: Randy Bachman (Bachman-Turner Overdrive).

3

"Good Morning Starshine" by Oliver

(#6 last week) Oliver was a three-hit wonder; but the first two (this was the first; "Jean" the second) were HUGE, both in the top 20 of the year.

2

"Grazing In The Grass" by The Friends Of Distinction

(#3 last week) How many adjectives can I come up with for this gem of a song? Happy. Summery. Joyous. Singalongable (is that a word?). Catchy. the Friends sure raised comparisons with the 5th Dimension, but they only ended up with three hits (the other two were pretty good, too, "Going In Circles" & "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely").

1

"Get Back" by The Beatles

(#1 last week; 5th week at #1) Happy....gulp....70th birthday to Paul McCartney on June 18!